by Rab Bruce’s Spider

The lack of anything definitive happening regarding IndyRef2 is creating some tensions within the Yes movement. We’ve seen some people advocating waiting until polls reach a certain level, or delaying for several years in the hope that Westminster won’t abolish the Scottish Parliament before we have a chance to become a normal country.

We’ve also seen some comments that Nicola Sturgeon is angling for a job at the UN because she knows she’s going to be ousted from her current position. This has again raised speculation that she actually has no interest in calling IndyRef2 because she’s happy with holding power in Scotland and having Westminster to blame for anything that goes wrong.

Now, whether this speculation is right or wrong is not really the issue here. Nicola Sturgeon has shown herself to be a very capable politician, although it must be said she has been aided in this by the rank incompetence of the majority of her opponents. But if she fails to lead Scotland to independence, or if her position is undermined by any revelations about the extent of her involvement in the events leading to the upcoming Alex Salmond trial, that does not undermine the cause of independence. In practical terms, a change of leadership may well hamper the progress towards normality, but we do need to get away from focusing on personalities. Many people in 2014 voted No because they disliked Alex Salmond. Some people might vote Yes in IndyRef2 because they like Nicola Sturgeon. Both of those attitudes are short-sighted. Scotland should become independent because that is what normal countries do. The people who might be elected to govern the country may be strong personalities, but all that should mean is that they should be able to inspire the voters and gain their confidence through strong messages and competent government. It should not in any way affect people’s decision as to whether Scotland should be a normal country.

At the moment, I back the SNP because, realistically, there is no other political party which will be able to deliver independence. That doesn’t mean I will blindly follow them once we become a normal country, nor that I will refrain from criticising them at any time if I think they have got things wrong.

So forget all the talk about personalities. If you elevate someone to the status of an idol, you are likely to be disappointed in them at some stage. It really doesn’t matter who leads Scotland to independence as long as someone does.

After that, we will, after a hiatus of three centuries, be able to elect and dispose of politicians based on their performance in Government.

Personalities may be important when it comes to domestic politics, but should have no bearing on the fundamental question of whether a country should be able to govern itself.